Kota kinabalu: Sabah's state sales tax collection for the main sectors as of June 30 this year stood at RM1.38 billion, the State Legislative Assembly was told today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Chong Chen Bin @ Ben Chong detailed the breakdown of the collection, highlighting crude palm oil, including palm biomass, contributing RM703.55 million. This was followed by petroleum products which accounted for RM679.45 million, and Sabah's exports of fishery commodities which brought in RM4.22 million. Notably, the forestry sector remains exempt from the state sales tax.
Chong was responding to an oral question posed by Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin (GRS-Moyog), who inquired about Sabah's sales and service tax (SST) collection by major sectors such as petroleum, palm oil, marine products, and forestry products for the latest year. Furthermore, Chong mentioned that the ministry is considering refining the proposal to review state sales tax rates for certain sectors to enhance competitiveness and bolster industries within Sabah.
Adding to Chong's response, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun clarified that while the SST tax is imposed by the federal government, the state sales tax is a state government levy, with current reviews underway regarding its rates.
In a related development, Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib announced that the Sabah State Education Department (JPNS) has made comprehensive preparations for the admission of 6-year-old students to Year One starting in the 2027 school session. This includes managing the placement of new teachers from the Bachelor of Teaching Degree Programme (PISMP) and the Postgraduate Diploma in Education Programme (PDPP), alongside appointing teachers on a contract of service basis to address immediate needs.
To alleviate teachers' workload, the Ministry of Education and JPNS are evaluating a proposal to increase student management assistants, thereby allowing teachers to concentrate on instructional duties. Measures concerning physical infrastructure involve constructing additional classrooms, renovating and upgrading existing ones, and implementing two-session schooling where necessary. James was responding to an oral question from Justin Wong Yung Bin (Warisan-Sri Tanjong) about the ministry's preparations for admitting 6-year-old students into Year One in the upcoming school session.